First Annual Innovation Expo 1438-2017

Welcome to the 1438-2017 Innovation Expo! We are excited that you are taking the firs step in accepting the challenge of the our first Innovation expo in AL-Huda School. Please read carefully the competition guideline. If you have any questions, please contact us immediately.

The Challenge

The challenge is to create an innovative, viable solution to a problem in order to have a beneficial impact.

Goals

Entries can be any of the following:- A service (ex. A Muslim youth helpline; a unique zakatu-fitr collection and distribution system)- A marketable product (ex. Customized miswak subscription service, the "backet"; a book on Qur'an for Teens"- An app (ex. Help the blind to navigate without a stick; an automated system that alerts health service when an elderly person falls and cannot get up unassisted).- A website/ organization (ex. A website/ organization dedicated to Muslims who are victims of domestic violence; a website/ organization to help recently arrived Syrian refugees navigate resettlement)

1. Viable

The product or concept must be feasible. If it is a physical product, a prototype should be designed. If it is an app, the app must be functional, even if it is rudimentary and incomplete. If it is an idea/concept, there should be a blueprint of how this concept would become viable, both logistically and financially. ​The product or concept does not have to be a profit-making innovation; however, it must bring some benefit.

​2. Innovative

Your concept must have a unique aspect to it. It is expected to be original and solely the work of the team.Note: Innovation is not just about "newness"; your concept can be innovative because it provides a solution that is more efficient, better performing, more accessible or convenient than existing solutions.

​3. Compatible with Islamic Teachings

Your product or concept, in addition to being beneficial, must comply with all legal boundaries, Islamic and local, and be ethical in nature and design.

​4. Solution-oriented

Your startup must solve a problem to bring about a benefit to any aspect of Allah's creation (people, environment, animals etc.). The benefit can physical or spiritual in nature.

​The Challenge Rules

Eligibility: All AL-Huda High School Students and high school age students from the hifz school. Teams: min. 3, max. 5 students per team. Teams may cross grade levels but not gender. Late Entries: will be disqualified from the contest but must still be completed for grade. Outside Resources: Teams may solicit help from any resource available to them, but any help from people outside the team (including assigned mentors) must be limited to advice only.Expenses: Team are not expected to spend more money on this than they would on a science fair project. No expenses will be reimbursed by the school.

Judging

Judging for the challenge will be in two parts:Part A: Language Arts Instructors will judge your business plan and presentation for a subject test grade. Part B: Expert judges will be selected from the local community to judge all qualifying startups. ​

Plagiarism

Deliberate copying of concepts is theft and will result in disqualifications/penalty (See Handbook).

The Competition

The winning startups will be awarded the following: - Up to 20 extra credit points in All their subjects for fourth quarter (in the test category)- Letter of commendation from the school (to add to your resume). - Cash Prizes

Concept Portfolio Guidelines

The Concept plan should follow the following format: 1- Title page - Team name- Team logo- Name(s) of the team members- Mentors2- Table of Contents3- Executive Summary- No more than a one-page summary of your entire plan.- This is your sales pitch.4- Team Profile- This includes who you are and what you are about.- It must include the Islamic ethos of your team.5- Industry Research- Identify what is already out there in the way of solutions to the problems(s) you are addressing.- Identify what makes your concept stand out in your chosen niche.6- Social Component - Who will benefit?- How will your concept impact them?7- Appendix- Include a copy of the team contract- The team's structure is a "partnership".

Dates and Deadlines

Role of Your Mentor

- To provide coaching in the form of advice and ideas only.- To be available for consultation and coaching during Innovation Lab time in school.​- To facilitate mock presentations to help students prepare.

Non-mentor teachers will evaluate student performance. Failure to stay on task during Innovation Lab time, or unequal division of labor within a team will be noted and may affect the final grade.

Suggestion

It is recommended that a very rough prototype from each team is rehearsed in front of the mentor on April 5, before the competition. That way, students can avoid everything being done last second, and the team can make sure the judges have something worthwhile to judge from.